Ray "blisterguy" WalkinshawSaturday, November 19, 2011

While Kristoffer Jonassen of Team Norway waited for his opponent to arrive at the table, he admitted that they felt Japan was heavily favored in this match. Notwithstanding the fact that all three members of the Japanese team get to choose if they'd like to play first because they finished higher in the Team Standings.

"How did you do in Standard?" Jonassen asked Ryuichiro Ishida, as they shuffled their decks.

"3-3 in the individual rounds, but 3-0-1 in teams," Ishida revealed with a grin, "You?"

"5-1, then 3-1 in teams."

Norway's Kristoffer Jonassen gets his Token Town deck going against Ryuichiro Ishida, the 2011 Japanese National Champion.

Game 1

Both players mulliganed to six, Jonassen leaning out of his chair to share the decision with Team Norway Captain Sveinung Bjørnerud. Ishida played a Rampant Growth, while Jonassen summoned an Avacyn's Pilgrim. The Pilgrim attacked for 1, but Jonassen had no further play on turn-two. Ishida summoned a Viridian Emissary and played a Ghost Quarter. Jonassen summoned a turn-three Hero of Bladehold.

Oblivion Ring exiled the Titan, and Jonassen attacked Ishida down to just 5 life. Ishida untapped slowly, and heaved a sigh of relief after drawing his card. He destroyed Elspeth with a Beast Within before casting Day of Judgment.

Ishida attacked with a Nexus, and a turn later, summoned another Primeval Titan. Jonassen summoned a Blade Splicer, causing Ishida some concern. Maybe he could attack Jonassen for a bunch, but maybe Jonassen had a trick up his sleeve, and could attack back for lethal. Ishida carefully attacked with the Titan and just one Nexus before recruiting Gideon Jura. Jonassen drew his card, and with no answer to the Planeswalker, reached for his sideboard.